Inhibition

Chapter 11

The first thing Cat noticed as the elevator doors sprung open was the noise. It wasn’t exactly a loud noise, or even an unpleasant one. It was distinctive. The hum of electricity hung in the air, thick like smoke. It wrapped around her head and triggered a flare of annoyance.

So unused to the noise, Cat had first looked around for the insect that must’ve been flying around her head, creating the noise. With the realization that it wasn’t an insect, but electricity, making that noise, Cat set to observing her surroundings.

Finley and Cat exited the elevator and found themselves in a huge room. It looked like their entire apartment, kitchen, living room, and bedrooms, had had all of the walls knocked down to create one large space. Screens of an unknown material, and in different sizes, were scattered around the room. They were mounted against the far wall in random order. There were six screens, all connected, that rested on an old fashioned desk.

Something was off with the desk computer, but after not seeing a computer for so long, Cat wasn’t quite sure what it was. When Cat got closer, she was able to better see the computer system. It looked like someone had haphazardly thrown pieces together to make the pieces of a computer.

The monitors looked fine, the screens cleaned so that they reflected Cat’s face. But the wires that connected the monitors to the actual system were all bare, with no covering, the copper colored strands wrapped around each other in a tangle that looked more like a ball of yarn than a computer that worked. The system itself was random bits of technology looking like they had been thrown without reason into the glass box that housed them.

Now, Cat was not a computer expert. To be blunt, she hated computers with a fiery passion, but that wasn’t the point. Even to Cat, the pieces didn’t look like they went together. Though it was much more difficult to feel things about this technology stuff, Cat still got the vague feeling that this was a Frankenstein monster. No two pieces were from the same machine, and the things fitted together in a way that seemed like it. It made Cat wonder if it actually worked.

“Admiring my work?” Cat nearly jumped out of her skin at the small voice coming from directly behind her. “Ain’t she a beaut? I think so myself, but that’s just me.”

Cat turned around to find a girl about her height, if not a bit shoulder. She had a cute round face, with small brown eyes and a small, delicate nose. Her body was slender and covered in jeans, a t-shirt, and an unbuttoned flannel shirt that was way too big. It practically fell to her knees.

Black bangs cut off just above her eyebrows, and a second set of bangs, just a little on both sides, fell to her jaw. The rest of her hair fell stick-straight over her shoulders, almost to her butt. The hair itself was glossy and smooth, enough so that Cat unconsciously patted her own wild curls.

“Hey, everybody calls me Midge.” The girl held out her hand cheerfully.

“Cat.” Cat shook her hand absently, still looking at the computer with her head cocked to one side.

Midge’s eyes widened. “Like the animal? Like-” and she proceeded to make hissing and meowing cat noises.

“Yes, exactly.” Cat nodded excitedly. “How did you know my secret identity? Now my enemies will find out and all those I care about shall perish!” Cat raised her fist in the air and dramatically recited her speech, with the utmost seriousness.

Midge’s eyes widened even more, with alarm. “No! It cannot happen! I shall work hard to cover up your uncovered identity! I will not rest until it is done.”

“Alas, I am not sure that task can be so easily completed.”

“Do not fret brave hero-” A look from Cat. “-ine! I give my solemn oath.” She knelt on one knee, on the ground in front of Cat, ready to pledge her loyalty.

“Then I do hereby knight you in the honor of all that is holy and good-”

“Would you two shut up? Really? And you just totally skipped from alternate reality superheroes to medieval times.” Finley sauntered up to them, obviously less than amused with their antics.

“Oh no, Finley the kill joy has found us! What should we do?” Cried Midge.

Measuring Finley’s glare on her scale of one to screwed, Cat leaned down to whisper conspiratorially in Midge’s ear. “Probably whatever she says.” And so they both stood quietly, faces downcast, as they waited for their reprimand like good little girls.